Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo's rejection of the new General Law on the Environment, approved by Congress, has opened a debate on the priorities of the population's quality of life and the conditions that most benefit economic growth. Toledo refused to enact the bill passed in June, and returned it to Congress on Jul. 21, saying its implementation would drive up production costs, undermine companies' competitiveness, and discourage private investment.

Congress has the options of incorporating the president's objections into the bill, holding fast to the approved bill, or postponing the matter indefinitely.

Lawmakers and environmentalists alike maintain that the legislation is needed in order to overcome Peru's lagging behind in environmental policy.

“Failure to enact the law would condemn us to continuing non-compliance with the environmental quality standards recommended by the World Health Organization,” Elvira de la Puente, member of the congressional environmental committee, told Tierramérica.